It's critical to keep trade flows open to ensure that food supply chains stay operational, says World Trade Organisation
The World Trade Organisation says keeping agricultural markets open, as well as fostering a more favourable business environment, will be critical to spur the renewed investment the world will need post-Covid-19.
The global Covid-19 pandemic halted economic activities and disrupted trade in many parts of the world, with governments imposing lockdowns to curb infections. Already, millions of jobs have been lost worldwide with small players, especially in the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors, hardest hit.
In addition, while world food stocks and production levels for the most widely consumed staples — rice, wheat and maize — are at all-time highs, the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on jobs and incomes have increased the number of hungry people worldwide, the WTO says. “While there is currently no reason the ongoing health crisis should turn into a food crisis, disruptions to food supply chains constitute a risk, with governments’ trade policy choices likely to determine how the situation evolves,” the report says.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19: The Long-Haulers: When Covid-19 doesn’t go awaySeven months into the Covid-19 pandemic, frighteningly little is still known about this new disease. But one thing that is now clear is that Covid-19 is not simply a lung disease. It can attack the brain, the kidneys, the gut, the blood system and more. And for the people now known as the Covid Long-haulers, the effects of Covid-19 can persist for month after month - laying them low with over 60 separate physical symptoms. There are over half a million Covid Long-haulers in the UK alone, and it’s estimated that millions more are suffering around the world, including in South Africa. In this episode, we speak to health activist Robin Gorna - herself a Covid Long-hauler - and infectious disease researcher Professor Francois Venter about the growing medical acceptance that Covid-19 can manifest as a long-term condition for which there is currently no treatment and no cure. Don’t Shoot the Messenger is produced by Haji Mohamed Dawjee and presented by Rebecca Davis with editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro, original theme music by Bernard Kotze and additional support by Kathryn Kotze.
Read more »
Covid-19 antibody test could be SA’s secret weapon amid fears of second waveNewly released antibody tests for COVID19 might be the weapon South African needs to better prepare if the country is hit by a second wave.
Read more »
COVID-19: Steinhoff reports 6% decline in nine-months salesThe decline in sales is reportedly due to COVID-19 related trading restrictions imposed worldwide.
Read more »
COVID-19: Some W Cape hospitals allowing patients to receive visitorsVisits at health facilities have been restricted during lockdown, to prevent the risk of infection.
Read more »
Covid-19 hits 40th Nedbank Challenge out of boundsThe Covid-19 pandemic has claimed another victim with the Nedbank Golf Challenge (NGC) declared out of bounds this year. The 40th anniversary of the tournament was supposed to be the penultimate event on the 2020 European Tour International Schedule but will have to wait for next year.
Read more »
COVID-19: SA reports more coronavirus related deathsMost of the new deaths are from Gauteng.
Read more »